Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Nolan

Thomas A. Nolan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8741066
    Abstract: A process/method for cleaning wafers that eliminates and/or reduces pitting caused by standard clean 1 by performing a pre-etch and then passivating the wafer surface prior to the application of the standard clean 1. The process/method may be especially useful for advanced front end of line post-CPM cleaning. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of processing a substrate comprising: a) providing at least one substrate; b) etching a surface of the substrate by applying an etching solution; c) passivating the etched surface of the substrate by applying ozone; and d) cleaning the passivated surface of the substrate by applying an aqueous solution comprising ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Ismail Kashkoush, Thomas Nolan, Dennis Nemeth, Richard Novak
  • Patent number: 8709619
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Patent number: 8673464
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20130045394
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20120331549
    Abstract: A system and method for logging a non-reader into a corresponding user account is disclosed. A system can include a processor, a user interface, a display, and a camera. The processor can be programmed to display a first plurality of pictures and configure the user interface to allow the user to select a first picture corresponding to the user from the first plurality of pictures to provide a first authentication step and allow the user to select a second picture from a second plurality of pictures providing a second authentication step. The system can log the user into the corresponding user account if the second picture selected from the second authentication step corresponds to the first picture selected from the first authentication step. A system and method for logging multiple users into corresponding user accounts is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Susan Evelyn Gunnewig, Robin Virginia Norton, Matthew Thomas Nolan
  • Patent number: 8257844
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20110306210
    Abstract: A process/method for cleaning wafers that eliminates and/or reduces pitting caused by standard clean 1 by performing a pre-etch and then passivating the wafer surface prior to the application of the standard clean 1. The process/method may be especially useful for advanced front end of line post-CPM cleaning. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of processing a substrate comprising: a) providing at least one substrate; b) etching a surface of the substrate by applying an etching solution; c) passivating the etched surface of the substrate by applying ozone; and d) cleaning the passivated surface of the substrate by applying an aqueous solution comprising ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Ismail Kashkoush, Thomas Nolan, Dennis Nemeth, Richard Novak
  • Publication number: 20110076515
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Patent number: 7867637
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20100124671
    Abstract: A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Erol Girt, Hans Jurgen Richter, Mariana R. Munteanu, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20100092802
    Abstract: A method of forming a granular magnetic recording medium comprises etching a cap layer disposed on a granular magnetic recording layer. The etching process is carried out at a varying ion energy, including a first ion energy and a lower subsequent second energy. A device including the etched cap layer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoding Ma, Jing Gui, Michael Joseph Stirniman, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20100072056
    Abstract: A substrate holder for a substrate including a frame body having an opening for the placement of the substrate. The frame body also includes a hollow portion therein. The substrate holder may be used in a sputtering apparatus for sputtering material onto the substrate. The substrate holder is particularly advantageous in the manufacturing of magnetic recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Nolan
  • Patent number: 7642743
    Abstract: A remote battery charger, comprising a DC-to-DC converter, able to accept a first DC current with a voltage of less than 13 VDC and able to produce, from said first DC current, a second DC current of at least a 15 amps at a voltage of at least 13.5 VDC, provided an adequate first DC current level. Also, the charger includes a current acceptance reduction input, whereby when said input is activated said DC-to-DC converter reduces its acceptance of said first DC current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Nolan, Carl Ray Smith
  • Publication number: 20080003354
    Abstract: Magnetic recording media having a magnetic layer with an easy magnetization axis lying about 35° out of plane of the magnetic layer is disclosed. This media has a reduced total magnetic layer thickness and higher signal, while improving the media signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20070255088
    Abstract: An implantable, magnetic actuator comprising a mechanical switch completely implanted within the human's or animal's body having at least one magnet; an external user component having at least one magnet which is used externally of the animal's or human's body to couple to the magnet of the mechanical switch; a connector that is connected at one end to the mechanical switch and at the opposite end may be connected to activation means that may be used to remotely actuate a mechanism, component or device that has been implanted completely within an animal's or human's body and is located distally from the implantable, magnetic actuator. The mechanical switch, connector and activation means are completely implanted within the human's or animal's body to overcome the risks and obstacles posed by exposed actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Jacobson, Jeff Sommers, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20070237986
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a planar surface and a stack of thin film layers overlying the substrate surface and including at least one perpendicular magnetic recording layer with a magnetic easy axis perpendicular to the plane of the layer stack, wherein a magnetically soft underlayer (“SUL”) is not present in the layer stack. The layer stack includes a first, amorphous and smooth-surfaced underlayer proximal the substrate surface, a second underlayer having a first crystallographic orientation overlying the first underlayer, a third underlayer having a second crystallographic orientation overlying the second underlayer, and at least one perpendicular magnetic recording layer having a crystallographic orientation similar to the second crystallographic orientation overlying the third underlayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Zhong (Stella) Wu, Samuel Harkness, Erol Girt, Qixu Chen, Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20070136332
    Abstract: A system for managing a user defined type (UDT) in a database. The system includes an interface for receiving data indicative of the UDT. A processor is responsive to the data for defining a language specific information package for UDT, presently in the form of a Java class file representative of the UDT. An output provides the class file to a storage directory, in the form of a data dictionary maintained by the database. As, such class file is accessible by an application interacting with the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Nolan
  • Publication number: 20070064345
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, in this order, wherein an exchange coupling in the first magnetic layer is lower than an exchange coupling in the second magnetic layer, and the first and second magnetic layers are in a film stack so that magnetic grains in the first magnetic layer are exchange coupled by a pathway through the second magnetic layer is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium by obtaining a substrate, depositing a first magnetic layer at a first sputter gas pressure and depositing a second magnetic layer at a second sputter gas pressure, in this order, wherein the first sputter gas pressure is higher than the second sputter gas pressure, and an exchange coupling in the first magnetic layer is lower than an exchange coupling in the second magnetic layer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Nolan, Samuel Harkness
  • Publication number: 20060146445
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for use with a single-pole magnetic transducer head comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface, and a layer stack formed over the substrate surface, comprising, in overlying sequence from the substrate surface: (i) a magnetically soft underlayer (SUL) having a magnetic saturation value Ms and a thickness t; (ii) at least one non-magnetic interlayer; and (iii) at least one magnetically hard perpendicular recording layer; wherein the product Mst of the SUL is selected to have a minimum value which provides a desired amount of head field channeling but is sufficiently large to provide a desired reduction of erasure of written bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Nolan, Samuel Harkness, Chunghee Chang, Jianping Chen
  • Publication number: 20060051623
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a substrate and a SiO2-containing magnetic layer comprising grains is disclosed. The magnetic layer has substantial SiO2 between the grains. This condition is achieved by sputter depositing the magnetic layer in a chamber containing a gas under vacuum. The gas contains substantially no oxygen. Such a gas is one into which no oxygen is intentionally introduced to create an oxygen-containing gas mixture but may contain a trace amount of oxygen molecules in an amount that are present in air under a similar vacuum as that of the gas in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Stella Wu, Thomas Nolan, Samuel Harkness, Rajiv Ranjan